6 Riveting Reasons to Check Out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

By

Samantha Kern

Photo Credits

All photos courtesy of Samantha Kern

A lot of people have grown up with Harry Potter, and even though the main story lines have ended, the fun and memories definitely haven’t. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is a special trip for those Harry Potter fans who want to live like a witch or wizard for a day in their favorite fantasy world. There are two parts to the Wizarding World, King's Cross/Digaon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Here are some top reasons to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

1. Ollivander’s Wand Shop is a stop you cannot miss when you’re at the Wizarding World. The line is long, but sometimes it takes some time for the right wand and wizard combination to come because remember, the wand chooses the wizard. Located in Diagon Alley, Ollivander’s is a cute little shop that’s depicted just like it was in the movie that sealed our Potter fan fate. Whatever wand chooses you, or if you choose it, there are spells that can be casted around the theme park with the interactive wands. You get a map with your wand that tells you what happens and where it takes place. Some items lift up and down, some items move from right to left, and others spit water out at you. There's even a few hidden places throughout the parks so be sure to keep your eye out for anything a little odd.

2. Gringott’s Bank is another place that can’t be missed. While it’s not quite as large as one might expect, it has an animated goblin that talks to witches and wizards as they enter through the front door of the money exchange. He talks about how Gringott’s is the safest place for your magical funds and encourages you to swap your muggle money for the magical money. The bank tellers will swap out whatever amount you want with money that can be used just like regular money in certain stores in the Wizarding World. The bank comes with a dragon on top that actually breathes fire out. If you stand close enough, you can even feel the heat that comes with it.

3. Honeydukes candy store is a beloved candy stop for all Hogwarts students. It's located in Hogsmeade, so be sure to keep an eye out for the colorful cotton candy pink sign and bright mint green shelves covered with sugary treats. From chocolate frogs to acid pops to sugar quills to fudge flies and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, there isn’t a candy that can’t be found here by Potter fans.

4. The Butterbeer! A sugary confection that tastes similar to butterscotch soda, guests of the park can grab a regular butterbeer or they can get a frosted one, which is like an epic butterbeer slushy. The slushy option is a great choice for the hot days that grace the parks more often than not, but there is also a hot version as well as a tasty ice cream flavor!

5. The Forbidden Journey is awesome ride. It’s an interactive ride of sorts as you’re placed in a seat with a harness and strewn about the castle in different adventures. It’s supposed to be a nice relaxing tour of the castle, but what fun would that be? If you’re with Harry, nothing ever goes as planned but you’re definitely not bored. You fly on a broomstick with Harry during a Quidditch match, you learn firsthand what it’s like to be chased by a dragon and so much more. It’s definitely worth the wait. And it all takes place in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that sits in Hogsmeade.

6. The Hogwarts Express is another ride you can’t miss. You can ride the train in any direction, Kings’ Cross to Hogsmeade or vice versa, but I recommend both as you get a different experience each way. Stepping into the train station is a cool experience all on its own but actually picking your seat in a section of the Hogwarts Express is every fan’s dream. Dressed in Hogwarts robes and carrying a wand onto the train at Platform 9 and 3/4, you'll really feel like a witch or wizard who finally got their letter to Hogwarts.